Process and apparatus for extracting a volatile metal from its ore



Aug. 18, 1925.

E. M. JHNSON FOR EXTRACTtING A VOLATLE METAL FROM ITS ORE PROCES S AND APPARATUS Filed Oc't. 7. 1924 2 Sheets-Shut l gin/vento@ LVZ/515716077 A' ,I l 3% .f f

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E. M. JHNSON PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING A VOLATILE METAL FROM ITS ORE Fil 1924 2 `Sheetrs-Shea'c 2 @M WMM @Miet nui Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

,EDWARD M. JOHNSON, 0F HENRYETTA, OKLAHOMA.

PROCESS ND APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING A VOLATILE 'METAL FROM ITS ORE.

Application led October 7, -1924.` Serial No. 742,205.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. JOHNSON, a citizen of thc United States, residing at Henryetta, in the county of Okmulgee and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes and Apparatus for Extracting a Volatile Metal from Its Ore, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a process .and apparatus for extracting a. volatile metal from its ore and it is an-object of the invention to employ a novel and improved process and apparatus whereby the operating costs are materially reduced and the life of the furnace employed is materially prolonged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved process and apparatus of this type wherein the requisite charging and cleaning out isl materially simplied and in a manner assuring better and cleaner working conditions for the furnacemen. I f

An additional object of the invention is to 'provide a novel and improved process or method of this general character which results in a higher percentage of recovery within a shorter period of time than is now generally obtained. i

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a'view partly in section and partly in elevation and of a diagrammatic` character illustrating an apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; l

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in top plan of the apparatus as illustratedin Figure' 1 and also somewhat of a diagrammatic character;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation yand partly in sectionlof the apparatusas herein disclosed and also of a diagrammatic character;

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the charging device as herein employed. V The furnace as herein 'disclosed is aas-l sembled in the same manner as is now generally employed with the exception that it is free of any center wall and is somewhat narrower than a double furnace or block as is now being generally used. Each of the sides of the furnace comprises the conventional assembly of the illar 1, the horizontal tile plates 2, skewliacks 3, and top arch 4, together with the buck stays 5, and the parts directly associated therewith for maintaining the requisite assembly of the furnace.

It is to be particularly noted, however,

that in the assembly of the furnace there is no center wall as is now common to the block or double furnace, whereby the single furnace shown eliminates many of the disadvantages of the block or double furnace assembly.

Extending between and having their extremities resting upon horizontally opposed aligned tile plates 2 are the retorts 6, each of said retorts being open at both ends. A. condenser is luted to the. mouth of each end of a retort whereby the vapor from one retort is collected and discharges into two condensers instead of one retort discharging the vapor into one condenser as is now the common practice. As the construction of the condensers and the manner of luting forms no particular part of the present invention it is believed that a detailed description and illustration thereof is unnecessary. The retorts 6 are maintained in applied position and the apertures between the retorts closed up by the well known use of clay and by having the retorts open at each end the mounting or removal of the retort Will be materially simplified. Below the furnace proper is the cellar 7 constructed in the well-known manner and which has delivering therein the chutes 8 whereby the residue discharging from the retorts is collected Within the cellar.

Extending along each side of the furnace and parallel therewith is a trackway D upon which travels a car C. This car C carries a trackway W disposed transversely7 of the car C or in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of travel of the car. Mounted upon this trackway W is a carriage A, said carriagde being provided with vertically space series .of

troughs 9. These troughs are so arranged of the troughs 9 will be just above the top of the wall thickness at the bottom of a mouth of a retort,

To charge the furnace7 the ore and reducing material are placed Within the troughs While in a position away from the wall of the furnace, The car A is then pushed toward the furnace until the ends of the troughs reach the adjacent mouths of a series of retorts whereupon said materials are pushed into the retorts by suitable implements. After the retorts have been charged the car A is rolled away from the furnace and after the troughs have been refilled the car C is moved a distance sufficient to properly position the troughs with respect to a. second series of retorts. This is continued until all of the retorts of the furnace have been charged. After the furnace has been worked oif the residue may be easily pushed out of the retorts through either of the open ends thereof.

While my improved method and apparatus metals, as it is obvious that the briquettes after the volatile metals have been distilled off, may be readily pushed out of the retorts and thereby assuring a materially quicker operation and in maintaining the retorts in requisite cleaned condition. The briquettes may be employed either before or after baking or driving off the volatile hydrocarbons. e

The use of retorts having both ends open results in a material saving of fuel with a consequent reduction in operatin costs in view of the fact that with a sing e combustion chamber substantially the same results are obtained as by use of the block or double furnace as now commonly employed. By

provision of means whereby the retorts may be effectively-cleaned, the life of such retorts is materially prolonged.

As is a general custom in the present time the furnacemen employed in the recovery of zinc or kindred volatile metals work on a shift basis and consequently the percentage of metal recovered depends to a certain eX- tent upon the time required to charge and discharge. With the use of the retorts open at both ends such charging and discharging can be accomplished within a period of time considerably less ,than is required in connection with the types of furnaces now generally in use and hence a longer time is given for the distillation of the vapors and thus assuring a higher percentage of recovery.

1. A process of distilling volatile metal consisting in charging the raw material into `either end of a retort open at both ends,

heating the retort to distill the volatile metal contained in the charge, and discharging the residue through either end of the retort.

2. A process of distilling volatile metal consisting in chargin briquetted raw material into either en both ends, heating the retort to distill the volatile metal contained in the charge, and discharging the residue through either end of the retort.

3. A process of distilling volatile metal consisting in charging the raw material into either end of a substantially horizontally disposed retort open at both ends, heating the retort to distill the volatile lmetal contained in the charge, and discharging the residue through either end of the retort.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix mv signature.

EDWARD M. JoHNsoN of a retort open at. 

